San Antonio FC’s Danny Garcia celebrates alongside teammate Jason Johnson after Garcia’s goal against Swope Park tied the score at 1 before a record crowd of 8,466 on Saturday at Toyota Field.

San Antonio FC’s Danny Garcia celebrates alongside teammate Jason Johnson after Garcia’s goal against Swope Park tied the score at 1 before a record crowd of 8,466 on Saturday at Toyota Field.

Photo: Ronald Cortes /For The Express-News

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Sam McBride for FC can score on a corner kick against Swope. San Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

Sam McBride for FC can score on a corner kick against Swope. San Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

Photo: Ronald Cortes, Freelance / For Express News

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San Antonio FC’s Stephen McCarthy (right) has his corner header blocked by Jon Kempin of Swope Park Rangers during the club’s United Soccer League home opener on April 9, 2016.

San Antonio FC’s Stephen McCarthy (right) has his corner header blocked by Jon Kempin of Swope Park Rangers during the club’s United Soccer League home opener on April 9, 2016.

Photo: Ronald Cortes /For The Express-News

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San Antonio FC fans celebrate after the team’s first goal in a United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on April 9, 2016, at Toyota Field

San Antonio FC fans celebrate after the team’s first goal in a United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on April 9, 2016, at Toyota Field

Photo: Ronald Cortes /For The Express-News

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FC's Jason Johnson tries to drive on Swope's Jacob VanCompernolle in first half actionSan Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

FC's Jason Johnson tries to drive on Swope's Jacob VanCompernolle in first half actionSan Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

Photo: Ronald Cortes, Freelance / For Express News

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FC's Jason Johnson watches shot go wide against Swope. San Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

FC's Jason Johnson watches shot go wide against Swope. San Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

Photo: Ronald Cortes, Freelance / For Express News

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Scope's goalie Jon Kempin makes a 2nd half save against FC. San Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

Scope's goalie Jon Kempin makes a 2nd half save against FC. San Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

Photo: Ronald Cortes, Freelance / For Express News

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Tempers begin to flare late in 2nd half in game against FC and Swope. San Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

Tempers begin to flare late in 2nd half in game against FC and Swope. San Antonio FC's United Soccer League home opener against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, April 9 2016

Photo: Ronald Cortes, Freelance / For Express News

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San Antonio FC delights record crowd at Toyota Field

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With legendary chanteuse Nina Simone’s version of “Feeling Good” blaring on the public address system, a new era of professional soccer in San Antonio was launched before a record crowd Saturday night.

“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life … and I’m feeling good,” Simone sang as members of the city’s new soccer tenant, San Antonio FC, took the field against Swope Park Rangers before 8,466 fans, the most at Toyota Field.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw with all the scoring coming in the first half.

It didn’t take long for Swope Park to temper some of that enthusiasm when an unmarked Daniel Salloi took advantage of a defensive lapse and scored from close range in the second minute.

The crowd regained its momentum, and San Antonio FC tied it on Danny Garcia’s hard shot from the right side off an assist from Carlos Alvarez in the 42nd minute.